Rundown: Bruce is loose

(By Dave)

Jay Bruce knows
how to return in style. After missing 12 games with a sore side, Bruce
proceeded to homer twice and drive in four in a four-hit Monday night. The
better news for Bruce owners is that he has a track record of saving his best for
last, as the former blue-chip prospect batted .353 with four homers and 16 RBIs
last September for the Reds. Here’s some other notable things that went down
Monday:

Joe Blanton (W, 6
IP, ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 8 K vs. FLA) – More of the same from Blanton, who is now 4-0
with a 3.41 ERA and 52/12 K/BB ratio over his last 10 trips to the mound. No
reason not to use him with confidence going forward.

Bronson Arroyo (W,
6 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 8 K vs. ARI) – A nice bounce-back effort from Arroyo, who was
tagged for seven runs in 4 1/3 frames last time out vs. the Rockies. With
Monday’s win, Arroyo now has three straight seasons with 15 victories.

Dillon Gee (ND, 6
IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 3 K vs. PIT) — Gee did a good job of mixing his stuff,
inducing nine flyouts and five groundouts to go along with the three Ks. The
24-year-old right-hander has answered the call in his first two big league
starts, surrendering a combined seven hits and one earned run over 13 frames. Still,
I’d shy away from him for his Sept. 18 start vs. the Braves.

James McDonald (ND,
8 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K vs. NYM) — McDonald, who extended his scoreless innings
streak to 17, submitted his fourth quality start in eight trips to the hill as
a member of the Pirates. He’s posted a 3.49 ERA and formidable 44/16 K/BB ratio
over 49 frames in that stretch. The 25-year-old right-hander is on track to toe
the rubber again on Sept. 18 vs. the D-backs. And that’s a matchup I like.

Derek Lowe (W, 8
IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 12 K vs. WAS) — The veteran sinkerballer has been lights-out
since missing a start due to elbow soreness, going 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA and 14/0
K/BB ratio in his last two trips to the hill, spanning 14 innings. Owners in
head-to-head playoffs looking to add an arm should make a move for Lowe, who’s
set to take the rock again on Sept. 19 vs. the Mets at pitcher-friendly Citi
Field.

Chris Narveson (ND, 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 7 K vs.
HOU) – That’s four straight starts where the Narv Dog has gone at least six
innings without allowing more than two earned runs. In that 26 1/3-inning-span,
he rocks a stellar 30/8 K/BB ratio and is a worth a roll of the dice when he
faces the Cardinals next.

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